KIRKUS REVIEW

A tiny frog desperately wishes to be any other animal.

After reading a book about a cat, the young frog stretches open his
mouth as wide as it will go and decidedly declares, “I want to be a CAT.” His father patiently explains, “You can’t be a CAT.…Because you’re a FROG.” But frogs are too wet and slimy. The little
frog then decides to be a rabbit. After all, he can already hop. But father
points out that he does not have long ears. The young amphibian is not
deterred. There are many other options—a pig, perhaps? Or an owl? But his
no-nonsense father explains away each one. Until a wolf, who enjoys eating many
animals—except wet, slimy frogs—comes along and changes the young frog’s perspective. Debut author Petty
presents a droll take on this oft-explored wish of being different. But what
shines the brightest is Boldt’s expressive frog duo. Question-weary grown-ups will understand the
father’s heavy-lidded
eyes, and nothing embodies a childlike curiosity (and/or crazy, determined
declarations) more than the tiny frog’s wide-open mouth. Colored speech bubbles
distinguish the speakers’
words and tumble
over each other on the page.

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